419 scam: Bertha A ol vas <betya_pretty@hotmail.com> CALL MR MARTIN GVANDRA AT +226 740 366 07

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- western.union.offc2@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Bertha A ol vas <betya_pretty@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Oct 2010 17:54:44 +0100 (BST)
Subject: CALL MR MARTIN GVANDRA AT +226 740 366 07

MY working partner has helped me to send your first payment $5000 to you and here is the information;SENDER NAME:Mr.MARK O JINNY, I told him to keep sending you $5000 daily until the payment of ($1.millionsUSD) is completed and again forward them your Telephone number,Full Name, Your Country, your internional passports and Full adress, so that they will be sure.

Please,contact Person: Mr Martin Gvandra Director of western union with below E-mail(western.union.offc2@gmail.com) and tell him to send you your first payment and call him immediately you send him mail please call him with respect so that he can pay attention to your mail Phone.+226 740 366 07

Best Regards:

Mrs.bertha pretty

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam